Discovery of a New Species of Enigmatic Odd-Scaled Snake

Achalinus, commonly known as odd-scaled snakes due to their unique scutellation, are a fascinating group of xenodermid snakes distributed throughout east Asia. Currently, northern Vietnam is known to host six species of Achalinus, three of which are considered endemic. During recent herpetofaunal surveys conducted in the Bac Me District of Ha Giang Province, we collected a single specimen of Achalinus in a lowland region surrounded by secondary forest on karst. We conducted Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses using multiple mitochondrial protein-coding loci and a ribosomal subunit to ascertain the phylogenetic position of the Ha Giang specimen among currently recognized odd-scaled snake species. The results of those analyses along with morphological differences support this specimen as representing a new species, which we describe as Achalinus zugorum, new species. We provide detailed morphological descriptions and comparisons of the new species as well as brief comments on the biogeography and conservation of Achalinus in northern Vietnam.

100 Snake Facts That Will Swallow You Whole

Species New to Science: [Herpetology • 2020] Achalinus zugorum • Discovery of A New Species of Enigmatic Odd-Scaled Snake (Serpentes: Xenodermidae: Achalinus) from Ha Giang Province, Vietnam

Species New to Science

Species New to Science: [Herpetology • 2020] Achalinus zugorum • Discovery of A New Species of Enigmatic Odd-Scaled Snake (Serpentes: Xenodermidae: Achalinus) from Ha Giang Province, Vietnam

Cretaceous Legged Snake Fossils Shed New Light on Evolution of Modern Snake Body Plan, Paleontology

Identifying Extant Tuatara, Amphisbaena, Snake Kinds

New Species Discovery – Reynolds Lab @ UNC Asheville

A new species of the genus Achalinus (Squamata: Xenodermidae) from Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province, China

Achalinus - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

Researchers Shed New Light on Enigmatic Early Evolution of Snakes

Strange New Snake Species Dubbed Primitive 'Relic of Time

Gimme shelter: Juvenile Natal Green Snake finding overnight lodging – letting nature back in